This unique collection emphasizes the human element in thestudy of Latin American history by focusing on the lives of twenty-three men, women, and children. Though they differ widely from each other in background and circumstance, these individuals share a common experience: all are caught up in some way by the profound, sometimes devastating, changes that accompany the modernization of a traditional society. Their stories bring vividly to life the impact that revolution, economic upheaval, urbanization, destruction of community life, and the disruption of family and gender roles have on ordinary people. These studies also bring out the various ways, often creative and courageous, in which Latin Americans have coped with the fortunes and vicissitudes of 'progress.'

Edited by William H. Beezley and Judith Ewell

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Juan Francisco Lucas: Patriarch of the Sierra Norte de Puebla Chapter 3 Miguel Rostaing: Dodging Blows on and off the Soccer Field Chapter 4 The Rough-and-Tumble Career of Pedro Crespo Chapter 5 Marmaduke Grove Chapter 6 Juan Esquivel: Cotton Plantation Tenant Chapter 7 Angel Santana Suarez: Cuban Sugar Worker Chapter 8 Cristobal Arancibia: The Life of a Bolivian Peasant during the Chaco War, 1932-35 Chapter 9 Pagu: Patricia Galvao-Rebel Chapter 10 Ofelia Dominguez Navarro: The Making of a Cuban Socialist Feminist Chapter 11 George Westerman: A Barbadian Descendant in Panama Chapter 12 Ligia Parra Jahn: The Blonde with the Revolver Chapter 13 Carlos Gardel and the Tango Chapter 14 Tomasa Munoz de Leon: From Precarista to Cooperativista Chapter 15 Soledad Fuente Chapter 16 Irma Muller Chapter 17 Dona Sara and Dona Juana: Two Bolivian Weavers Chapter 18 Leoncio Veguilla Chapter 19 Maria Ferreira dos Santos Chapter 20 Leticia: A Nicaraguan Woman's Struggle Chapter 21 Majito and Carlos Alberto: The Gamin Legacy Chapter 22 Ivonne Rivero: Urban Squatter Chapter 23 Suggestions for Additional Reading Chapter 24 Index